LOS ANGELES: Michael Phelps tired near the end to finish a distant second to France’s Yannick Agnel in the 200 metres freestyle at the Arena Grand Prix at Santa Clara yesterday.
Olympic champion Agnel led Phelps only narrowly after 100m but extended his lead in the second half of the race to clock 1:46.99.
Phelps was second in 1:48:20, more than five seconds slower than his American record of 1:42.96, set at the 2008 Olympics.
“I got left like I was standing still in the last 50 by this guy,” Phelps, standing next to Agnel, told Universal Sports, describing it as his ‘slowest 50 ever’.
Phelps, 28, is back at sea level after a stint of altitude training and is using the northern California meet, his third since coming out of retirement, as part of his preparation for the US nationals in August.
He is hoping to take part at the prestigious Pan Pacific Championships in Australia later the same month.
He tied for first in the 100m butterfly on Friday, and was second in the 100m freestyle.
Phelps stayed with Agnel for the first half of Saturday’s final in the outdoor pool, only 0.04 behind after 100 metres.
But Agnel pulled 0.36 clear at the final turn and Phelps barely held on for second place, slowing noticeably over the final 50m.
Phelps is scheduled to swim the 200m individual medley in his next assignment.
REUTERS
